ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Prime Minister's Office
Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi holds talk with President of the European Commission, Ursula Von der Leyen in New Delhi
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi received Her Excellency Ursula Von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, today.
Prime Minister thanked the EC President for consenting to deliver the inaugural address at the Raisina Dialogue this year, and said that he looked foward to hearing her address later in the day.
The leaders agreed that as large and vibrant democratic societies, India and Europe share similar values and a commonality of perspectives on many global issues.
They reviewed the progress in the India-EU Strategic Partnership, including the forthcoming re-commencement of negotiations on a Free Trade Agreement and Investment Agreement. It was agreed to institute a high-level Trade & Technology Commission to provide political-level oversight of all aspects of the India-EU relationship, and to ensure coordination between different areas of cooperation.
The leaders had an extensive discussion on climate related issues, including on possibilities of collaboration between India and the EU in areas like Green Hydrogen. They also discussed the continuing challenges of COVID-19 and stressed efforts to ensure equitable access to vaccines and therapeutics to all parts of the world.
In addition, several geo-political issues of topical importance were discussed during the meeting, including the situation in Ukraine and developments in the Indo-Pacific region.
Prime Minister's Office
Telephone conversation between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and His Excellency Joseph R. Biden, President-elect of the United States of America
The Prime Minister also extended his heartiest congratulations and best wishes to Vice President-elect Senator Kamala Harris
The leaders agreed to work closely to further advance the India-U.S. Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership, built on shared values and common interests
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had a telephone conversation today with His Excellency Joseph R. Biden, President-elect of the United States of America.
Prime Minister Modi warmly congratulated President-elect Biden on his election, describing it as a testament to the strength and resilience of democratic traditions in the United States.
The Prime Minister also extended his heartiest congratulations and best wishes to Vice President-elect Senator Kamala Harris.
The Prime Minister warmly recalled his earlier interactions with H.E. Joseph R. Biden, including during his official visits to the United States in 2014 and in 2016. H.E. Joseph R. Biden had chaired the Joint Session of the U.S. Congress that was addressed by the Prime Minister during his 2016 visit.
The leaders agreed to work closely to further advance the India-U.S. Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership, built on shared values and common interests. The leaders also discussed their priorities, including containing the Covid-19 pandemic, promoting access to affordable vaccines, tackling climate change, and cooperation in the Indo-Pacific Region.
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions
Cabinet approves signing of an MoU between Union Public Service Commission, India and Independent Administrative Reforms and Civil Services Commission, Afghanistan
The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, has approved the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding  between Union Public Service Commission , India and Independent Administrative Reforms and Civil Services Commission , Afghanistan.
The MoU will strengthen the relationship between IARCSC and UPSC. It will facilitate sharing of experience and expertise of both the parties in the area of recruitment.
Salient Features of the MoU:
- Exchange of experience on modern approach to public service recruitment and selection, particularly the functions of the UPSC and the IARCSC.
- Exchange of information and expertise including books, manuals and other documents which are not of a confidential nature.
- Sharing of expertise in the use of Information Technology  in the preparation of written examinations and holding of Computer Based Recruitment Tests and Online Examinations.
- Sharing of experience in Single Window System for expeditious scrutiny and speedy disposal of applications.
- Sharing of experience and expertise on various processes involved in examination system.
- Organize training sessions for officials, including short attachments to the Parties’ secretariat/headquarters on all matters concerned by the respective mandate of the parties.
- vii. Sharing of experience on the modalities adopted on adult of processes and procedures followed by various Government Agencies in recruitment of posts under the delegated power.
Ministry of Civil Aviation
14 AAI Airports now equipped with Ambulifts to facilitate flyers with reduced mobility
14 AAI Airports are now equipped with Ambulifts to facilitate flyers with reduced mobility under the Accessible India Campaign  of Government of India. To facilitate passengers with reduced mobility, Divyang passenger on wheel chair and passenger on stretchers, AAI has procured 20 ambulifts for the airports which are having scheduled flight operations of Code C & other advanced level aircraft but does not have aerobridge facilities. The Ambulift has been manufactured indigenously under the 'Make in India' policy.
The facility is presently operational at 14 airports namely Dehradun, Gorakhpur, Patna, Bagdogra, Darbhanga, Imphal, Vijayawada, Port Blair, Jodhpur, Belgaum, Silchar, Jharsuguda, Rajkot, Hubli and remaining six are likely to be operational at Dimapur, Jorhat, Leh, Jamnagar, Bhuj & Kanpur airports by the end of this month.
The ambulifts can cater to six wheelchairs & two stretchers with an attendant at a time and is fitted with Heating Ventilation & Air-Conditioning system. The initiative taken up by AAI under Accessible India Campaign  of Government of India will provide convenient air travel to flyers with reduced mobility and. also help 'Divyangjan' at airports where aerobridge facility is not available. Procured at a cost of Rs. 63 lakhs per unit, AAI is providing Ambulift facility at a nominal token charge to the operating airlines at its airports
The Government of India has been working to take forward the vision of the Sugamya Bharat Abhiyaan in order to ensure fully accessible public infrastructure, including airports, railways stations and public transport systems. This new addition of Ambulift at various AAI airports will strengthen Transportation System Accessibility, which is an important vertical of the Accessible India Campaign.
Pictorial representation of usage of Ambulift:
Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment
Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan Run on the occasion of International Day against Drug Abuse.
The Department of Social Justice & Empowerment is organized Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan Run - 19th Run Against Drug Abuse today at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Bhishma Pitamah Marg, Pragati Vihar, New Delhi. The Run is being organized in association with Health Fitness Trust, New Delhi. To wean away youth and others from drugs and to make our country drugs free, a Pledge will also be administered to the participants.
The Pledge will be followed by the Run to be flagged off by Dr. Virendra Kumar, Minister for Social Justice & Empowerment for spreading mass awareness against the drug abuse.
The International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking is marked on 26 June every year to strengthen action and cooperation in achieving a world free of drug abuse. This run is organized to create awareness for the same and to present a united front against Drug Abuse.
A nationwide drug-free India campaign namely Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan is going on in 272 identified districts of the Country. There are more than 8000 master volunteers for campaign activities in these 272 districts, reaching out to more than 3.10 crore people including more than 1.20 crore youth and over 31 lakh women through various activities actually carried out so far. So far, the results of Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan have been very encouraging and this Ministry is also working vigorously to declare 100 districts drug free by the end of the year 2022 within defined parameters.
This year’s theme is “Share Facts on Drugs, Save Lives”. The motive is to combat misinformation by sharing real facts on drugs — from health risks and solutions for the world drug problem to evidence-based prevention, treatment, and care.
The Mass Event “Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan Run - Run against Drug Abuse” initiative is being taken and 1 km, 5 km, 10 km run, jumba classes, aerobics are being organized.
Ministry of Railways
1610 km out of total sanctioned length of 2843 km of Dedicated Freight Corridors has been completed
Dedicated Freight Corridors will offer higher transport output and carrying capacity
Ministry of Railways has taken up construction of two Dedicated Freight Corridors  viz. Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor  from Ludhiana to Sonnagar  and the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor  from Jawaharlal Nehru Port Terminal  to Dadri . So far, 1610 km out of total sanctioned length of 2843 km of DFC has been completed.
The construction of Dedicated Freight Corridors will offer higher transport output and carrying capacity due to faster transit of freight trains, running of double stack container trains and heavy haul trains due to which the unit cost of freight transport will get reduced substantially and there will be savings in the Logistics costs. This would also improve the supply chain for the industries/logistics players located in DFC’s catchment areas leading to growth of EXIM traffic as well.
The above advantages of DFCs will promote Industrial activities in the region by leveraging the Industrial corridors/townships being implemented along the DFC route. Development of New Freight terminals, Multimodal Logistics parks and Inland Container Depots along both Eastern and Western DFC are in different stages of implementation.
This information was given by the Minister of Railways, Communications and Electronic & Information Technology, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.
Cabinet Secretariat
Cabinet Secretary meeting with Chief Secretaries / DGPs of all States via Video Conferencing
Cabinet Secretary took a meeting today by video-conferencing with all the Chief Secretaries/DGPs of the States.
- The States were sensitized about the intensive contact tracing of Tablighi Jamat participants as this has increased the risk of containment efforts of COVID-19. The States were asked to complete the contact tracing process on a war footing.
- It has been found that foreigners who had participated in the Tablighi Jamat had violated visa conditions. The State were asked to initiate action for violation of visa condition against the foreigners and the organizers of the event.
- The States were asked to implement the PM Garib Kalyan Yojana within the next week. This will involve large cash transfer to beneficiaries. It should be organized in a staggered manner to ensure social distance.
- It was noted that lockdown is being implemented effectively all over the country. The States were asked to ensure that intra-state movement of goods is allowed without any hindrance while maintaining social distance.
- The manufacturing of essential goods should be ensured. It should also be ensured that the supply chains of such goods are maintained.
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Ministry of Steel
Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited Achieves Highest Turnover of Rs 28,215 Crores Since Inception, with a Growth of 57% Over the Previous Year.
40th Annual General Meeting  of RINL held
The 40th Annual General Meeting  of Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited, the Navratna PSU, held today in Visakhapatnam.
Shri Atul Bhatt, CMD,RINL, addressed the shareholders of RINL/VSP and explained the position of the Company. Shri Bhatt mentioned that during the financial year  2021-22, the Company achieved highest turnover of ₹28,215 Crores since inception, with a growth of 57% over the previous year. Also, the Company earned positive Profit Before Tax  after 6 Financial Years. During the year, the company achieved an EBITDA of ₹ 3469 Crores with a growth of 148% over the previous year. The Company has also earned a Cash Profit of ₹ 1,923 Crores in the financial year 2021-22.
Shri Bhatt said that the best Performance was registered during the year in all major production areas with growth over previous year, in spite of curtailed operations in Q4 on account of Coking Coal crisis. The Hot Metal production of 5.77 Mt achieved during the year is the highest for any single unit of Public Sector Steel Plant in the country. Best Ever Performance was registered during the year in all important Techno Economic parameters. High End Value Added Steel production was increased by 29% over previous year. Based on the Customers requirement, 22 new grades were developed during the year. Reaping the benefits of Central Despatch Yard, best ever Despatch Rake Retention of 15.58 hr was achieved in the year. The Company achieved a growth of 81% in the Sales to Projects Segment. With this, a growth of 28% was achieved in Domestic Sales, though the Automobile Sector was impacted by shortage of semiconductor chips. With focus on High End Value Added Steel production, growth of 18% was achieved over the previous year  he added.
Shri Bhatt thanked all the Stakeholders, particularly the Ministry of Steel and other Ministries of Government of India, the Government of AP, the Suppliers , Customers, Ancillary Units, Bankers, the People’s Representatives, the District Administration and various other agencies for the confidence and trust bestowed upon the Company and the opportunity given for its continued growth for achieving various milestones and also sought their continuous support in future.
Ministry of Information & Broadcasting
DD National Pet Show wins ENBA Award 2021
Yet again, proving its mettle when it comes to production of quality content that matters, Doordarshan has won ENBA Award 2021 for the best in-depth Hindi series. TV series based on pet care ‘Best Friend Forever’ on Doordarshan has won big at the 14th edition of the Exchange4media News Broadcasting Awards .
Best Friend Forever is half-an-hour weekly live phone-in show on DD National, wherein two pet experts guide people on how to take care of their pets, about their food, nutrition, routine health check-ups, vaccination and other pet related issues. Objective of the show is to maintain a two way communication where viewers can directly call and talk to the experts, and share their worries and experiences. From the first day, phone calls started pouring in from across the country. Apart from other age-groups, youngsters and kids engage the most with the show.
The show also features stories which explain unique relationship one develops with their pets and how pets not only take the modern day stress away but are also life-savers. The show is aired every Sunday at 7 pm and is also available on the YouTube channel of DD National. Click on the given link to watch all the episodes so far - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLUiMfS6qzIMzRVOMb92wfgGf22hgVo8p6
The coveted ENBA awards celebrate remarkable work done by individuals and leaders in the media industry who are responsible for shaping the future of Television broadcasting in India.
Special Service and Features
Gold, Drones and Iphones worth Rs. 62.6 lakhs seized by Chennai Air Customs. One Arrested.
On Wednesday morning based on intelligence one passenger from Chennai who arrived from Dubai by Emirates Airlines flight EK544 was intercepted at exit of Customs arrival hall. On personal search two plastic pouches of gold paste were found stitched inside his underwear and 412 grams of gold valued 21.4 lakhs of 24 k purity was recovered. One gold kada weighing 98 grams valued at Rs. 5 lakhs was also recovered from his trouser pocket. On search of his hand bag 5 drones and 2 iPhone 11 valued at Rs 5.6 lakhs were recovered. Total Rs 32 lakhs worth gold, drones & iPhones were recovered and seized under Customs Act, 1962. The passenger was arrested.
On Tuesday three passengers one from Virudhnagar  and two from Kadappa  who arrived from Doha and Kuwait by flights Indigo 6E 8713 and Kuwait Air KU 1343 were intercepted at exit. On personal search one passenger, one gold kada was recovered from his pant pocket. One gold chain and one gold cut bit each were recovered from pant pockets of other two passengers. Total 586 grams of gold valued at Rs. 30.6 lakhs was recovered and seized under Customs Act, 1962.
Gold worth Rs. 57 lakhs along with drones & iPhones worth Rs. 5.6 lakhs, totally valued at Rs. 62.6 lakhs were recovered and seized under Customs Act, 1962.
Further investigation is under process.
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Special Service and Features
Bureau Of Indian Standards Organized Manak Manthan – An Interaction Programme On Indian Standards On Polyvinyl Chloride  Industrial Boots
Bureau of Indian Standards, Chennai Branch Office –I organized the Manak Manthan programme on & Revised Indian Standards on Polyvinyl Chloride  Industrial Boots; in Chennai Today. Polyvinyl chloride  boots are meant to protect feet, ankles against rains during monsoon and while working in slushy area. Such boots are also recommended for light duty purpose in tanneries, food industries, sewage treatment plants, petrochemical, cement and pharmaceuticals industries etc., because polyvinyl chloride has very good resistance to water, alcohols, acids and alkalies. PVC boots are not to be used in areas which are prone to fire and explosion like in mining, oil exploration, fire fighting etc as PVC melts at 80-90 ºC and not fit for use in areas where heat generation and fire hazard is of major concern. The specified values for many requirements like sole thickness, volatility etc., were modified and additional requirements for performance and cold flex resistance were introduced in this version of the standard as optional requirements.
Technical persons from Central Footwear Training Institute , Footwear Design and Development Institute , Indian Shoe Federation, South India Shoe Manufacturers Association, Product Consuming Industries, SGS India Private Limited, attended the programme. The specifications of Standard starting from raw material requirements to testing were discussed. The comments received were noted for further improvement in the draft standard.
The Chief Guest of the Programme, Dr.R.Mohan, Chief Scientist, HEAD-CATERS, CSIR-CLRI gave his inaugural speech.
Shri. Jose Charles, Scientist D, Chennai Branch Office-I,BIS spoke on programme objectives, Dr.R.Mohan, Chief Scientist & HEAD-CATERS, CSIR-CLRI and Shri D. Bhanu Kiran, Scientist-B, Chennai Branch Office-I, BIS made the technical discussion on Revised Indian Standard on Polyvinyl Chloride  Industrial Boots & Ms.Jyostna Priya, Scientist-B, Chennai Branch Office-I,BIS demonstrated on BIS activities and e-BIS.
Ministry of Agriculture &
Farmers Welfare
Locust control operations carried out in more than 4 lakh hectares area in 10 states till 23rd July 2020
Control operations were carried out at 31 places in 7 districts of Rajasthan in the night of 23rd-24th July, 2020
Starting from 11th April 2020 till 23rd July 2020, control operations have been done in 2,02,565 hectares area in States of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana by Locust Circle Offices . Till 23rd July 2020, control operations have been done in 1,98,657 hectares area in States of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Haryana, Uttarakhand and Bihar by State Governments.
In the intervening night of 23rd-24th July, 2020, control operations were carried out at 30 places in 06 districts viz. Barmer, Jodhpur, Bikaner, Churu, Nagaur and Sriganganagar of Rajasthan by LCOs. Besides this, Rajasthan State Agriculture Departments also carried out control operations at 1 place in Bharatpur district in the intervening night of 23rd-24th July, 2020 against small groups and scattered population of locusts.
Presently, 104 control teams with spray vehicles are deputed / deployed in the State/s of Rajasthan, and Gujarat, and more than 200 Central Government personnel are engaged in locust control operations. Aerial spraying capacity has been strengthened for anti-locust operations. A Bell helicopter has been deployed in Rajasthan for use in Scheduled Desert Area as per the need. Indian Air Force is also conducting trials in anti-locust operation by using Mi-17 helicopter. The results are encouraging. Further, 5 companies with 15 drones are deployed at Barmer, Jaisalmer, Bikaner, Nagaur and Phalodi in Rajasthan for effective control of locusts on tall trees and in inaccessible areas through spraying of pesticides.
No significant crop losses have been reported in the States of Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Bihar and Haryana. However, some minor crop losses have been reported in some districts of Rajasthan.
Today , swarms of immature pink locusts and adult yellow locusts are active in Barmer, Jodhpur, Bikaner, Churu, Nagaur, Sriganganagar and Bharatpur districts of Rajasthan.
Ministry of Defence
NAVAL AVIATION - INDUSTRY INTERACTION
Kolkata, 15 March 2019
In a 'Naval Aviation - Industry Interaction' organised by the Naval Liaison Cell  in Kolkata today, representatives of industries in the region interacted with officers from the Indian Navy. With an aim to familiarise the industry with the naval organisation, procedures, policies and requirements, interaction was held with more than 100 firms. Apart from replying to queries raised by industrialists, Navy officials also provided contact details of nodal officers at various units to take matters forward.
Presiding over the meet, Rear Admiral VM Doss, Assistant Chief of Naval Staff  said, most defence components needs were being met by various foreign companies so far. However, under the Centre’s 'Make in India' initiative, the defence forces have eased the procedures for Indian industrialists to supply their products and the opportunity is immense. Once they start manufacturing and supplying components to the defence forces, they will be able to export them as well, he said.
On the potential of supplying to Navy, the Rear Admiral said, the number of warships and aircraft will increase leading to more requirement of components within the next ten years. A naval aviation indigenisation road map has also been prepared for next five years to indigenise over 550 components .The industries can be involved in upgradation, repair work or reverse engineering and may supply their products to various PSUs/Defence PSUs, Ordinance factories and R&D organisations, he also said.